October 30, 2021Products
2021 Restwell Gift Guide
Giving and receiving gifts is an important part of this season, but it's easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of things there are to want, buy, give, and spend.
We don't want to ignore that part of life–after all it's fun–however we do want to temper the consumer in all of us by meeting somewhere in the middle.
Every year we offer a short gift guide featuring eight items we've actually used (and loved) over the last 12 months. To give us structure in how we chose each item, we've divided our list into four categories: something we want, something we need, something to wear, and something to read.
We hope by sharing what we've found valuable this year, you'll find a gift idea of value too.
**Also, we do not get any money from these links–we've included them to help you explore these items faster, but each product shown is 100% our own opinions.Â
Ready to see some quality gifts? Let's scroll.
We don't want to ignore that part of life–after all it's fun–however we do want to temper the consumer in all of us by meeting somewhere in the middle.
Every year we offer a short gift guide featuring eight items we've actually used (and loved) over the last 12 months. To give us structure in how we chose each item, we've divided our list into four categories: something we want, something we need, something to wear, and something to read.
We hope by sharing what we've found valuable this year, you'll find a gift idea of value too.
**Also, we do not get any money from these links–we've included them to help you explore these items faster, but each product shown is 100% our own opinions.Â
Ready to see some quality gifts? Let's scroll.
Something We Want
Justin's Pick
Gramovox Bluetooth Gramophone
This item is originally something we backed on Kickstarter years ago, but seeing as this is our first gift guide (and truly one of our favorite possessions!) we wanted to include it. The Gramovox bluetooth speaker is beautiful, high-quality, and simply a really fun way to play music. Using quality materials like steel and walnut, it's sturdy construction has lasted well over 5 years of almost daily use. Plus it's powered via a Li-Ion battery so the Gramovox can play wirelessly for 12 hours.
Jamie's Pick
Stagg EKG Electric Kettle by Fellow
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I'm a drinker of all warm beverages, while Justin drinks strictly tea, so this kettle is perfect for the both of us! The size is perfect to fill a french press or multiple cups of tea per use. The temperature dial is great for getting the water just right for matcha, coffee, and (we're not embarrassed to admit) we've been known to crank it up to 212° to pour over cups of ramen...so really it's quite versatile! Fellow's Customer Service also receives high praise. About 5 months after we got it, the kettle stopped heating correctly and Fellow sent an entire replacement for free. It's been happily ever after since.
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Something We Need
Justin's Pick
Anker Wireless Ergonomic Mouse
This is not a sexy gift, but you know what else isn't sexy? Carpal Tunnel. I bought this mouse because I'm on the computer a lot...and to everyone's horror I only ever used a trackpad. But youth is waining and my fast living is catching up to me. After experiencing pain in my fingers, palm, and wrist I invested $27 into this funny-shaped mouse and it's provided almost instant relief in my hand. If you have a loved one who works from a computer and they're in their late-20's, learn from me and spare their pain with this Anker Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Mouse.
Jamie's Pick
Albatross Safety Razor
This was another gift I received over a past Christmas, and honestly I was scared to use it for probably 9 months. I grew up in the time of catchy Venus razor commercials full of flowers and goddesses, so this razor seemed more like a weapon and I imagined a terrible learning curve that would leave me bloodied and scarred. But it's not called a safety razor for nothing, and once I worked up the courage for that first shave I've been hooked ever since. The blades last forever (I'm still on the first pack that came with the product), I feel good about the single-use plastic I'm no longer using, I love the industrial look (no more pink!) and I feel like this product will literally last my lifetime. Moral of the story: don't be afraid and wait almost a year to use your new favorite razor. I've yet to cut myself.
Shop the Albatross Safety Razor
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Something To Wear
Justin's Pick
Chrono Gunmetal Sandstone MVMT Watch
Watches are one of the first gifts I remember receiving as an adult and I've come to really appreciate them, but they can get real expensive real quick. MVMT offers watches at an affordable price point in minimalist styles I really like. They feel casual in appearance, but I know they're well made. My wife got me my first MVMT watch as a gift in 2017 and it's still my favorite watch I own. Since then, the company has grown in what they offer, so even if you aren't a watch person, I'd still recommend them for their sunglasses and other modern accessories.
Jamie's Pick
Grace Eleyae Warm Slap Beanie
If you have straight hair, keep scrolling. If you have curly hair, this is such a great product! I recently purchased this beanie for myself because I'm learning how to actually take care of and embrace my curls. In my research, I've learned that fabrics like wool or cotton cause curly hair to dry out and create frizz, while satin or silk-lined products keep that moisture in the hair. While I've been using a silk pillowcase for awhile now, it just dawned on me to try and find a lined winter hat! I can say that Grace Eleyae's products are a hair-saver and a thoughtful gift for the curly-haired people in your life.
This was another gift I received over a past Christmas, and honestly I was scared to use it for probably 9 months. I grew up in the time of catchy Venus razor commercials full of flowers and goddesses, so this razor seemed more like a weapon and I imagined a terrible learning curve that would leave me bloodied and scarred. But it's not called a safety razor for nothing, and once I worked up the courage for that first shave I've been hooked ever since. The blades last forever (I'm still on the first pack that came with the product), I feel good about the single-use plastic I'm no longer using, I love the industrial look (no more pink!) and I feel like this product will literally last my lifetime. Moral of the story: don't be afraid and wait almost a year to use your new favorite razor. I've yet to cut myself.
Justin's Pick
Because We Are Bad: OCD and A Girl Lost In Thought by Lily Bailey
Bailey's book is a memoir depicting her life with extreme OCD–from her earliest memories, discovering she had it, and her many attempts to heal from it. This was recommended to me by a friend with OCD, but I think it has value to everyone, regardless of any personal experience with the disorder. The amount of compassion I have for people who struggle with this has grown so much and I think it's important to learn OCD isn't a 'quirky' personality where someone washes their hands a lot. In fact, Bailey does a lot of myth busting about OCD and it's the reason she decided to share her story publicly in the first place. Overall, it's a quick read, filled with transparency, honesty, dark and raw moments, yet still leaving you with a feeling of hope and lightness that things can change.
Jamie's Pick
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
I've been a fan of John Green since I was 15 and read Looking for Alaska in my high school's book club. He's one of the few authors I trust completely to read anything they write. (But I promise, this is a totally fair, unbiased review.) The Anthropocene Reviewed  is about the scientific age we currently all find ourselves in, recently dubbed the Anthropocene, because of how profoundly we humans have shaped it. In a series of short, personal essays Green writes his reviews on different aspects of our human-centered world, with each subject (ranging from sunsets to Diet Dr. Pepper) given a rating from 1 to 5 stars. I think it'd be fair to say this is like the Ted Lasso of books–it's optimistic, charming, hopeful, and all somehow without being cheesy. And I think that's because he's truthful. Green doesn't dodge the hard parts about our world. He doesn't rate everything 5 stars, but he doesn't make us feel like we're reading a Facebook comments thread either. I loved every second of this read, and I'd have already re-read it but I lent it my sister and she's yet to give it back. Buy two copies of this book, one for you, and one for the person who says they'll read it and return it.